A TRADITIONAL vale festival will take place this weekend to celebrate one of Spring's much-loved vegetables.
The British Asparagus Festival kicks off on St George's Day this Saturday in the Vale of Evesham and will run until Tuesday, June 21.
Events begin at the historic Fleece Inn at Bretforton, where morris dancers will hail the beginning of this year's asparagus growing season.
The Great English Asparagus Run also starts from the Fleece Inn; a Beaujolais run-style event with a 100-spear round of the vegetable transported around Worcestershire by the county's Lord Lieutenant, on a Royal Worcester Porcelain plate, in a Morgan car.
A convoy of vintage cars, including three Morgans, classic Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Truckfest Trucks will accompany the round through Evesham.
The first stop will be Evesham Abbey Bell Tower, which is officially re-opening on Saturday following its £500,000 refurbishment.
Angela Tidmarsh, Wychavon tourism officer, said: "The first asparagus festival started from Abbey Park in Evesham and the bell tower is an iconic building. We are trying to link the asparagus run to something in Evesham so people can enjoy it.
"We are hoping to raise our giant St George's Day flag on the bell tower and make it a community event for the people of Evesham."
The bells of the 16th century tower will ring out for the first time in decades, and the Reverend Andrew Mottram will officially bless the building.
The giant round of asparagus will then be donated to Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester, with balloon-modelling, games and ice cream on offer to create a carnival atmosphere.
Along with the asparagus run, there will be plenty of asparagus-themed entertainment in Evesham throughout the day.
Jemima Packington, the Vale's famous Asparamancer, will be on hand to predict fortunes by throwing spears of the vegetable and reading how they fall, while Gus the Asparagus Man will entertain visitors.
Rodrigo Asparaguy, of the Alpine All Male Winter Zumba Championships, will lead a mass asparazumba class and there will be an appearance from Eve the AsparaFairy.
A host of stalls will also fill the town centre, along with music, games - and, of course, asparagus - for visitors to enjoy.
For more information visit britishasparagusfestival.org
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